Christmas lighting contest is on, says La Junta Electric Department

It’s judging time for the Christmas Lighting Contest! The La Junta Electric Department along with some volunteers are judging the homes for the Christmas Lighting Contest between the 10th and the 20th of December.

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By Bette McFarrenbette@ljtdmail.com

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By Bette McFarrenbette@ljtdmail.com

Posted Dec. 13, 2012 at 1:00 PM

By Bette McFarrenbette@ljtdmail.com

Posted Dec. 13, 2012 at 1:00 PM

It’s judging time for the Christmas Lighting Contest! The La Junta Electric Department along with some volunteers are judging the homes for the Christmas Lighting Contest between Dec. 10 and Dec. 20. No application is necessary: the judges will be cruising the streets of La Junta to find the winners of the annual contest. Prizes are $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. Some spectacular displays are out there.

City Manager Rick Klein delivered the electric report because Line Superintendent Reuben DeLeon is on vacation. Meter reading was intensive in November and is continuing in December, in an effort to be sure every meter is read. Installation of new remote meter reading techniques continues as old meters are replaced 100 at a time.

There has been line maintenance on the G52-20 out of the Gardner Substation. Some poles have been replaced and transformers relocated. Some secondary outages were due to two transformer failures, wind and fallen secondaries. The line crew has installed two new lights at the police gun range. They have extended new secondary wire to the new maintenance building at Fourth and Smithaland along with an HPS 150 light fixture.

The power plant crew has repaired the overhead crane control cable and continued winterizing the plant. They continue working on the #6 generator. The power plant is an emergency backup system. While it is seldom online, it provides essential backup service.

The electric crew has installed a new cable in the new offices at Woodruff Memorial Library and replaced a limit switch at the South Booster Station. The outside control circuit board has been replaced on the handicapped door control at the Municipal Building.

In the routine report on water and wastewater, Director of Water and Wastewater Joe Kelley reported that the fire line for InspirationField has been installed. Comments on the Ark Valley Conduit Environmental Impact Study are available on the Internet at usbr.gov/avceis. Kelley and the water engineer took a field trip with Holbrook Canal representatives and their engineer, garnering some good information.

In wastewater matters, the annual routine jet-rodding is done; Parker Ag hauled 105,000 gallons of biosolids in November. Primary clarifier weirs have been sand-blasted and primer coat applied, and the new bar screen is in place but still needs electrical and control connections. Meanwhile, the equipment manufacturer on the weirs will be working on the components fabrication.

City Engineer Dan Eveatt reported heavy usage of large boxes due to roof replacements and repairs caused by the recent hail storm. All 20 yard boxes for roofing are in use.